Random selection and registration apparatus

ABSTRACT

A motor actuated spinning indicator coasts to a stop after deactuation to make a random selection. Information regarding the selection is then transmitted to an appropriate register, transmission of the information being precluded until the indicator has stopped. Such an arrangement has particular applicability in a game scoring situation.

United States Patent [151 3,656,754 [451 Apr. 18, 1912 Clark [541 RANDOMSELECTION AND REGISTRATION APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Norman R. Clark, OakLawn, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Walter E. Heller 8; Company, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 8, 1970 [2 I 1 Appl. No.: 44,455

[52) U.S. CI ..273/l24 A, 273/141 A [5 I I Int. Cl ..A63b 71/06, A63f7/00 [58] FieldofSearch... ..273/I38 A, I4I A, 142 R, I42 A, 273/142 B,I42 C, 142 D, I42 E, 142 F, I42 G, I42 H, I42 HA, 142 J, I42 JA, 142 JB,I42 JC, 142 JD, 142 K, I43 R, I43 A, I43 B, I43 C, 143 D, 143 E,

Primary Examiner-Anton 0. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Arnold W. KramerAttorney-Ronald L. Engel, Daniel W. Vittum, J r., Gomer W. Walters andJohn A. Waters [57] ABSTRACT A motor actuated spinning indicator coaststo a stop after deactuation to make a random selection. Informationregarding the selection is then transmitted to an appropriate register,transmission of the information being precluded until the indicator hasstopped. Such an arrangement has particular applicability in a gamescoring situation.

123A,I24A,I25 ,I21A,122A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 16Cums, 5 Drawing Figures 3,275,322 9/l966 Burnside ..273/I38 A X lIIO |l2[,III4 IIS @120 I22 I24 I2 27 I28 H I26 H I30 E I32 J34 ;I36 flfi I40 TW LEGEND NUIMALLY OPEN cm oazuriu SWITCH NORHALLY CLOSED CAM OPEIIIYEDSWITCH NDIIILLY OPEN RELAY OPERATED SWITCH nonmtu CLOSED nzuv OPERATEDsvm'cn PATENTEDAPR 18 m2 SHEET 10F 3 AWL 'mmmmnm INVE/V TOR l4 NORMA/VR. CLARK PATENTEUAPR 18 Ian 3. 656,754

SHEET 2 OF 3 H H2 H4 H6 H w l mIZO r422 w w l24 532 I 7 I25 25 5:28

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LEGEND B- NORMALLY OPEN cm OPERATED SWITCH NORMALLY CLOSED cm OPERATEDSWITCH INVENTOR NORMA/VF. CLARK MRELAY con.

-|}- NORMALLY OPEN RELAY OPERATED swr'rcu 5y 2 NORMALLY CLOSED RELAYOPERATED SWITCH E5 PATENTEDAPRIBISIZ 3,656,754 SHEET 3 BF 3 l/VVE/V TNORMA/V CLARK RANDOM SELECTION AND REGISTRATION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OFINVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention generally relates to anarrangement for making random selections and registering informationregarding the same and, more specifically, this invention relates to arandom spin score generating device for use in conjunction with apinball machine or other apparatus for playing a game involving elementsofchance and skill.

2. Description of the Prior Art A great deal of ingenuity andoriginality have gone into the variety of games that can be played on apinball machine. For example, the simplest type of game that can beplayed on a pinball machine merely involves the totaling of scoresachieved by a pinball contacting various switches and bumperscorresponding to various score units as it rolls down the inclined playfield of the pinball machine. Various denominations of scoring units maybe provided in this type of machine, and in addition, one play fieldswitch may be provided to initiate activation of a random scoring unit.The random score unit may be utilized to either provide a bonus score orbonus games independent of the other scoring opportunity switches on theplay field. Typically, the random scoring unit is in the form of a wheelof fortune" the circumference of which is divided into various scoredenominations and the final score achieved is determined by the stoppingpoint of an indicating arrow. However, this "wheel of fortune is not theonly type of possible random scoring unit. Depending on the type of gamefor which the pinball machine is set up to play, the random scoring unitcan be utilized to provide bonus games, additional balls above andbeyond the normal of balls per game, a multiplication factor by whichthe next score achieved by the ball contacting the bumper is multiplied,or the selection of cards, characters, or other opportunities whichfigure into the particular game being played.

For example, one possible game for which a pinball machine could be setup to play could closely approximate the card game of poker. Variousplay field switches on the play field could be provided corresponding tothe 52 cards in a deck of cards. Thus, a poker hand could be made by thecontact of the balls with the various play field switches. Theadditional feature of a random scoring unit which could achieve pathands such as a royal flush, a flush, a straight, a full house, etc.could be additionally provided. Other pinball games approximating suchsports as football, baseball, horse racing, hockey, etc. as well asgames such as tic tac toe can be achieved on a pinball machine. Thus, itis apparent that a random score unit to be incorporated in a pinballmachine must be extremely flexible to provide a multiple type ofscoringopportunities for the machine.

The random spin scoring device heretofore known to the art has notprovided this flexibility and has required complete redesign of thedevice to adopt it to a new game. However, the random scoring device ofthe present invention provides a great deal of flexibility in varyingthe type of games that may be played without appreciable changes ineither the circuit or the mechanical configuration of the device. Thus,the random score initiating device of the present invention provides thedesirable feature of being capable of being utilized to play a varietyof games without costly redesign and manufacture.

Random spin score initiating devices heretofore known to the art haveembodied the undesirable feature of appearing to be pre-programmed orotherwise controlled or pre-set for a predetermined score result. Forexample, one spin score unit heretofore known to the art embodies ascore indicating arrow and ratchet indexing means which stops the scoreindicating arrow in the exact center of the segment of the circlerepresenting the score units. Thus, as the score indicating arrow losesrotational momentum the ratchet means may either bring the arrow to asudden stop or if there is insufi'n cient momentum to rotate the arrowto the next score segment the ratchet means may cause the arrowto backup to the center of the score segment. Thus, it appears to the playerthat the spin score unit is either pre-programmed, pre-set or otherwisecontrolled. ln the typical pinball machine, if the total score is highenough the player may receive a free or a bonus game. Thus, if a playerbelieves that the spin score unit is precontrolled or pre-programmed tohold the score down and reduce the number of free or bonus plays orgames, the machine may be less desirable from a players subjectivestandpoint even though, in fact, the spin score unit is completelyuncontrolled and unprogrammed.

Another type of random scoring unit heretofore known in the art involvesa multi-contact rotational switch with individual contacts connected tolights or other visual means on the front of the pinball machinecorresponding to the various elements of the score. When the spin scoreunit is initiated, a motor causes the rotational switch to rotate. Whenthe motor is de-energized the switch stops on a switch contactcorresponding to a score. In this type of prior art device, therotational switch is inside the pinball machine and the player only seesthe flashing lights on the front of the machine. Thus, it ap' pears tothe player that the resulting score is controlled electronically ratherthan mechanically, and thus may believe that the operation of thescoring unit is pre-programmed or preset.

A further disadvantage of the prior art random scoring units resultsfrom the score lockout arrangement of those devices which preventsscoring while the score indicating arrow is in motion. In the prior artdevices, various lockout means are utilized including centrifugalswitches and direct current time delay switches. Centrifugal switcheshave proved unsatisfactory since they are subject of constantmaintenance and repair, and also because of their initial expense. D.C.time delay switches usually embody a capacitor connected across a relayso that the relay is held open during the charge decay period of thecapacitor. The capacitor and relay are energized by electric pulseswhile the spin motor is energized and the capacitor is selected toassure sufficient decay time so that the system stops rotation beforethe relay is closed. This type of DC. time delay lockout system has thedisadvantages of necessitating the use of direct current in the machinethereby increasing the cost of the machines since D.C. rectifiers arerequired; necessitating the additional expense of a large capacitor withsufficient decay time to hold the relay open until rotation stops; andfailing to assure lockout of the scoring function if the capacitance ofthe capacitor changes due to age or the rotation time changes due tobreaking in" or lubrication of the spin motor bearings.

In addition, both the centrifugal switch and the DC. time delay circuitrequire the undesirable feature of an indexing arrangement for the scoreindicating arrow. With the centrifugal switch, the indexing arrangementbrings the arrow to a sudden stop when there is insufficient rotationalmomentum to rotate the arrow to the next index position thereby bringingthe arrow to a rapid stop before the centrifugal switch closes. Withoutthe indexing arrangement, the switch would close once the centrifugalforce was reduced even if the arrow was still rotating. Indexing isrequired for the DC. time delay arrangement since typically, thestopping of the arrow at the center of the index segment breaks thecircuit to the lockout relay thus permitting the capacitor to decay andclose the relay switch. Without indexing there would be no way to breakthe circuit to the relay and thereby close the score circuit to permitscoring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a conventional pinball machine is provided acontrol motor and a spin motor with a score indicating arrow attached tothe shaft of the spin motor. Appropriate circuitry to energize the spinand control motor when a pinball hits an ap propriate switch on thepinball machine play field is provided. Operably associated with thecontrol motor are a multiplicity of cam operated switches which may beactuated at various positions of the control motor. The spin motor isde-energized in response to a cam operated switch while the score motoris maintained in an energized condition by another cam operated switchcontrolled circuit. The score indicating arrow coasts to a stop andindicates a scoring opportunity by the tip of the arrow. Aligned withthe arrow and attached to the shaft is a wiper contact that rubs acrossa detachable printed circuit board. Circuits corresponding to thescoring opportunities are provided on the circuit board. A lockoutcircuit is provided to prevent registering of the score until after thearrow has stopped rotation and one of corresponding pair cam switches isclosed. Once scoring is completed, the ball is ejected from a hole onthe play field and the entire system is returned to an index or restposition so that a new scoring cycle can be commenced upon subsequentactivation of the play field switch.

The present invention completely eliminates the adverse impression tothe player since the rotation of the score indicating arrow in thepresent invention rotates freely without an indexing means and thus canstop anywhere on the circumference of the circle traversed by the pointof the score indicating arrowv The necessity for an indexing means iseliminated by the inclusion of the lockout circuit of the presentinvention. As a consequence, the arrow does not necessarily stop in thecenter of a score division of the circumference of the score circle.Thus, it is clear to the player that the final stopping point of thespin indicator is purely a matter of the momentum and friction of thedevice and is not in any way pre-programmed or controlled. For example,in the present invention the score arrow can stop on the dividing linebetween two scoring units and in this situation the highest of the twoscores is the award to the player. Thus, it is clear to the player thatthe operation of the machine is not pre-pro grammed to hold down thescore.

In addition, the present invention provides a flexible structure thatallows a minimum of effort to convert the random score initiating deviceof the present invention to a new game involving different scoringopportunities by a simple physical change of the printed circuit board.

Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide arandom score generating device which completely and obviously randomlyselects a scoring opportunity and conveys the impression to the playerthat the random selection is not in any way pro-selected orpreprogrammed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a scoregenerating device for randomly selecting a scoring opportunity which canbe utilized for a multiplicity of possible game opportunities withoutcostly redesign or structural changes.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will hereinafter appear, and, for the purpose of illustration,but not of limitation, an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionis shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side partially fragmentaryplane view ofthe random spin apparatus ofthe present invention.

FIG 2 is a bottom partially fragmentary plane view of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a top partially fragmentary plane view of the apparatus shownin FlGl FIGv 4 is an elevational plane view ofthe face of the printedcircuit board ofthe invention.

FIGv S is a circuit diagram of the circuit of the present inventiun[)EStfRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. I shows a random spinapparatus comprising a spin motor l2. a freely rotating shaft 14mechanically rotated by mechanical gear linkage l6 driven by spin motor12. Spin motor I2 is attached to a mounting bracket 18 which is afiixedto a wall ofthc pinball machine 20 by screws 22.

Shaft 14 extends through opening 24 in the wall of pinball machine 20.Attached to the end of shaft l4 extending through opening 24 by setscrew 27 is score indicating arrow 26 (more clearly shown in FIG. 3). Inthe wall of the pinball machine 20 is provided a circular recessed area28. Held firmly against the bottom surface of circular recessed area 28by circular expanding spring 32 is a circular score indicating disk 30.

In the present embodiment, circular score indicating disk 30 is dividedinto it) equal segments to provide l0 separate scoring opportunities. Ascan be seen in FIG. 3, score indicating arrow 26 is positionedimmediately over circular score indicating disk 30 and the point ofscore indicating arrow 26 in dicates the scoring opportunity segmentselected by random spinning.

Mounted to the bottom of spin motor 12 by screws 37 is mounting bracket34 to which is attached printed circuit board 36. An opening 38 (shownin FIG. 4) is provided in printed circuit board 36 to allow shaft 14 toextend through printed circuit board 36. Mounted to the end of shaft 14ex tending through printed circuit board 36 is wiper-arm as' sembly 40.Wiper-ann assembly 40 comprises attaching structure 42 mounted to shaft14 by set screw 41. Affixed to at taching structure 42 is first wiperarm44 and second wiperarm 46. Provided at the free end of first wiper-arm44 is rubbing contact 48 and at the free end of second wipenarm 45 isrubbing contact 50.

FIG. 4 shows the circuit configuration of printed circuit board 36 ofthe present embodiment. An outer circuit ring 52 is divided into 10separate score opportunity circuits 54 corresponding to the l0 scoringopportunity segments of circular score indicating disk 30. Scoreopportunity circuits 54 are in dividually connected to lugs 56. Rubbingcontact 48 on first wiper-arm assembly 40 is rotated by shaft 14. Duringassembly of the device, wiper-arm assembly 40 and score indicating arrow26 are positioned on shaft 14 so that rubbing contact 48 contacts thescore opportunity circuit 54 corresponding to the score opportunityindicated on the circular score indicating disk 30.

Also provided on printed circuit board 36 is inner circuit ring 58.Inner circuit ring 58 is divided into it) equally spaced firstindividual contacts 60 connected by circuit connector 62 and l() equallyspaced second individual contacts 64 positioned between first individualcontacts 60 and connected by circuit connector 66. Through circuit board36 is provided rivet hole 68. Provided around rivet hole 68 is aprotruded portion 69 of circuit connector 62. A rivet (not shown) may beinserted through hole 68 to affix a contact lug (not shown) on theopposite side of the printed circuit board 36 for provid ing electricalcontinuity to circuit connector 62 and first individual contacts 60.Also provided through printed circuit board 36 is rivet hole 70.Provided around rivet hole 70 is a protruded portion 71 of circuitconnector 66. A rivet (not shown) may be inserted to afiix a contact lug(not shown) on the opposite side ofprinted circuit board 36 to provideelcctri cal continuity to circuit connector 66 and second individualcontacts 64.

Rubbing contact 50 is positioned on second wiper-arm 46 to circularlytraverse the inner circuit ring so that contact is al ternately madewith first individual contacts 60 and second individual contacts 64.

FIG. 5 shows a simplified circuit diagram representing the circuitry ofthe present embodiment The switches shown in FIG. 5 represent theposition ofthc switches in a rest or index position of the apparatus. Afirst cam operated switch llO normally closed at the index position ofthe apparatus is connected front ground to play field switch ll2. Playfield switch H2 is connected in series to eject relay controlled switchI14 and spin relay coil H6.

Electromotive force is applied across the circuit by power source 118represented by an actuating current generator symbol. However. it shouldbe realized that any conventional source of alternating current or adirect current power supply will operate this circuitv Howeveralternating current IS utilized in this embodiment since it provides theadvantage of reducing cost since a DC rectifying power supply is notrequired.

In parallel with first cam operated switch 110, play field switch 112,and eject relay controlled switch 114, is second cam operated switch 120in series with spin relay operated switch 122. Connected in series fromground to power source 118 is spin relay operated switch 124 and spinmotor 12. Also connected in series from ground to power source 118 isspin relay operated switch 126 and control motor 128. Connected inparallel with spin relay operated switch 126 is third cam operatedswitch 125 and eject relay operated switch 130. Connected in series fromground to power source 118 are fourth cam operated switch 132, spinrelay switch 134, and eject relay coil 136. Connected in parallel withswitch 132 and 134 is fifth cam operated switch 138 and eject relayoperated switch 140. Also connected in parallel with fifth cam operatedswitch 138 is spin score relay operated switch 142.

Connected to ground is a graphical representation of second wiper-arm 46and rubbing contact 50. Also graphically represented are firstindividual contacts 60 and circuit connector 62. Circuit connector 62 isconnected in series with first delay relay coil 144. Also connected inseries from ground to first delay relay coil 144 is sixth cam operatedswitch 146 and first delay relay operated switch 148.

Also graphically represented are second individual contacts 64 andcircuit connector 66 in series with second delay relay coil 150. Alsoconnected in series with second delay relay coil 150 is seventh camoperated switch 152 and second delay relay operated switch 154.

Connected from ground to power source 118 is eighth cam operated switch156, eject relay operated switch 158, the parallel combination of thefirst delay relay operated switch 160 and the second delay relay switch162 and spin score relay coil 164. Connected in parallel with switches156, I58, 160, and 162 and in series with spin score relay coil 164 isninth cam operated switch 166 and spin score relay operated switch 168.

Graphically represented are first wiper-arm 44 and rubbing contact 48 incontact with graphically represented score opportunity circuits 54.Score opportunity circuits 54 are connected in series with a means forreceiving, interpreting, and totaling electric signals 170 representedby a rectangular box. In series with means 170 is spin score relayoperated switch 172.

Finally, connected in series from ground to power source 118 is l0th camoperated switch 174, eject operated relay switch 176, spin score relayoperated switch 178, and eject coil 180.

Control motor 128 rotates a ganged group of cams (not shown) whichoperate first through th cam operated switches 110, 120, I25, 132, 138,146, 152. 156, 166, and 174. The cams (not shown) are divided into sixpositions (hereafter referred to as index position and positions 1through 5). FIG. 5 shows the position of the switches at the indexposition of the cam and control motor.

Not shown is a conventional pinball machine comprising an inclined playfield; various bumpers and switches on the play field for scoringpurposes, roller balls; a magazine to store the roller balls; means forindividually propelling the roller balls to the top of the inclined playfield; means for containing the roller balls on the play field; means atthe bottom of the play field for receiving the roller ball and returningthe roller ball to the magazine.

in the present embodiment, the play field switch 112 is posi tioned onthe play field ofthe pinball machine at the bottom of an indentedportion of the play field which will retain the roller ball and preventthe roller ball from further rolling down the play field when it entersthe indented portion When a roller ball enters the indented portion andcontacts play field switch 112, play field switch 112 is closed andelectrical current is passed through first cam operated switch 1l0(which is closed only at the index position), eject relay operatedswitch 114 (normally closed) and spin relay coil 116. The passage ofcurrent through spin relay coil 116 causes spin relay operated switches122, 124, 126, and 134 to close. The closing of switches 124 and 126activate spin motor 12 and control motor 128. As control motor 128rotates past the index posi tion, first cam operated switch (closed onlyat indexed position) opens. However, because second cam operated switch(open only at fifth position) and spin relay operated switch 122 areclosed, a circuit is maintained to spin relay coil 116. At the firstposition of the control motor 128, fourth cam operated switch 132(closed only at first position) is closed thus completing a circuitthrough previously closed spin relay operated switch 134 and eject relaycoil 136. Current through eject relay coil 136 causes eject relayoperated switch 114 (normally closed) to open and eject relay operatedswitches 130, 140, 158, and 176 (normally open) to close. The closing ofeject relay operated switch maintains a circuit to control motor 128independent of spin relay operated switch 126. Control motor 128continues to rotate to its fifth position whereupon second cam operatedswitch 120 (only open at fifth position) is opened. Since first camoperated switch 110 (closed only at index) is open at the fifth positionof the control motor 128, both circuits to spin relay coil 116 arebroken and spin relay operated switches 122, 124, 126, and 134 areopened. The opening of spin relay operated switch 124 breaks the circuitto spin motor 12, but the rotational momentum of spin motor 12 and scoreindicating arrow 26 causes shaft 14 to continue to rotate until frictionovercomes the momentum and causes shaft 14 to stop. Meanwhile, sinceeject relay operated switch 130 is closed a circuit is maintained tocontrol motor 128 independent of spin relay operated switch 126. Whileshaft 14 is rotating, either by operation of spin motor 12 or bymomentum after the circuit to spin motor 12 is broken, rubbing contact50 on second wiper-arm 46 is passing alternately over first individualcontacts 60 and second individual contacts 64 ol'inner circuit ring 58of printed circuit board 36. Contact of rubbing contact 50 with firstindividual contact 60 completes an electrical circuit through firstdelay relay 144. This closes first delay relay operated switch 148 andopens normally closed first relay operated switch 160. Similarly, whenrubbing contact 50 contacts second individual contact 64 a circuit iscompleted through second delay relay coil 150. This closes second delayrelay operated switch 154 and opens normally closed second delay relayoperated switch 162. Thus, after rotation has commenced a circuit ismaintained to the first delay relay coil 144 through sixth cam operatedswitch 146 (only open at first position of control motor) and firstdelay relay operated switch 148. Similarly, a circuit is maintained tothe second delay relay coil 150 by a circuit through seventh camoperated switch 152 (open only at the third position of the controlmotor) and second delay relay operated switch 154. As long as current ismaintained in the first and second delay relay coils, normally closedfirst delay relay operated switch and second delay relay operated switch162 are held open. When control motor 128 reaches its first position,the sixth cam operated switch 146 (open only at first position) isopened, thus breaking the circuit to first delay relay coil 144.However, as long as shaft 14 is rotating, either by operation of spinmotor 12 or by momentum, current will be pulsed through rubbing contact50 and first individual contact 60 thereby maintaining a pulsing currentthrough first delay relay coil 144 until a control motor [28 passes thefirst position and sixth cam operated switch 146 closes. Thus, as longas shaft 14 is rotating, first delay relay operated switch 160 is heldin an open position. However, if rubbing contact 50 is on firstindividual contact 64 when sixth cam operated switch 146 is opened atits first position, first delay relay coil [44 is momentarilydeactivated allowing first delay relay operated switch 160 tomomentarily close, but since eighth cam operated switch 156 is onlyclosed at the index position, spin score relay 164 is not activated atthis time.

Similarly, when control motor 128 reaches its third position, seventhcam operated switch 152 (open only at third position) is opened, therebybreaking that circuit to second delay relay coil 150. However, if shaft14 is rotating, either by operation of spin motor 12 or by momentum, thecontact of rubbing contact 50 with second individual contact 64maintains a pulsing current through second delay relay 150, and seconddelay relay operated switch 162 is held in an open position. Thus, aslong as shaft 14 and wiper-arm 46 are rotating, or as long as eighth camoperated switch 156 (closed only at index position) is open, it isimpossible for a circuit to be completed through spin score relay coil164. Once rotation of spin motor 12, shaft 14 and wiper-arm 46 hasceased and control motor 128 has passed either the first or thirdpositions, the circuit to either the first delay relay coil 144 orsecond delay relay coil 150 is broken, and the corresponding first delayrelay operated switch 160 or second delay relay operated switch 162 isclosed pennitting a circuit to be completed through spin score relay 164(eject relay operated switch 158 was previously closed by completion ofcircuit through eject relay 136) when eighth cam operated switch 156(closed only at the index position) is closed. Thus, when control motor128 reaches its index position after spin motor 12 shaft 14 andwiper-arm 46 have stopped rotation, a circuit is completed through spinscore relay 164. This actuates spin score relay switch 168 thusmaintaining a circuit through the spin score relay 164 after eighth camoperated switch 156 has passed the index position ofthe control motor128 and re-opened.

Also closed when a circuit is completed to spin score relay coil 164 isspin score relay operated switch 178, At the third position of thecontrol motor, tenth cam operated switch 174 (closed only at thirdposition) is closed and a circuit is completed through eject relayoperated switch 176 (previously closed) and eject coil 180. Eject coil180 operates a mechanical plunger (not shown) which ejects the rollerball from the indented portion of the play field thus opening play fieldswitch 112.

Activation of spin score relay 164 also opens normally closed spin scorerelay operated switch 142. When control motor reaches its fourthposition, fifth cam operated switch 138 (open only at the fourthposition) is opened and the circuit to eject relay 136 is broken. Thiscloses normally closed eject relay switch 114, opens normally openedeject relay operated switches 130, 140. 158 and 176. The opening ofeject relay I58 breaks one circuit to spin score relay coil 164. Theother circuit to spin score relay 164 is broken when seventh camoperated switch 166 (open only at fifth position) reaches the fifthposition and is opened. A circuit is maintained to control motor 128 bythird cam operated switch 125 (open only at index position) which allowsthe control motor 128 to rotate until it reaches the index position. Atthe index position the third cam operated switch 125 opens and thesystem is at its initial index or rest position.

The means to receive, interpret and total electric signals 170 isgraphically shown as an enclosed box in FIG. 5. The specific circuitryof means 170 does not specifically form a part ofthis invention and maytake a variety ofconfigurations depending on the type of scoringopportunities provided in the particular game for which the pinballmachine is designed As pointed out above, Ll \llFlLl) of scoringopportunities may be provided, such as bonus games, extra balls. bonuspoints. or any other scoring opportunity which may be made a part of thegame being played.

Moreover, the present embodiment shows the outer circuit ring 52 ofprinted circuit board 36 and circular score indicating disk 30 asdivided into ll equal segments. Thus in the present embodiment, Epossible scoring opportunities are provided, However, as can be seenfrom FlCiS 1.2.and 3 the present embodiment proiides a wry flexiblemeans of changing the scoring opportunities of this invention The outerCit cuit ring 52 ofprinted circuit board 36 can be designed to provideL1H} number ofscoring opportunities desired Further. cir culcir scoreindicating disk It) can he designed to jll'tlHLitf JUN visualrepresentation for any desired number of score opportunities. Aredesigned printed circuit board can be easily substituted for printedcircuit board 36 of the present embodiment by removing wiper-armassembly 40 (by removing set screw 41) removing printed circuit board 36(by unscrewing screws 37}, and replacing with the newly designed printedcircuit board. Similarly, a new circular score indicating diskcorresponding to the scoring opportunities of the newly designed printedcircuit board may be substituted by contracting circular expanding ring32 and removing it from circular recessed area 28, removing scoreindicating arrow 26 from shaft 14 (by loosening set screw 27), removingcircular score indicating disk 30 from circular recessed area 28, andsubstituting in its place the score indicating disk corresponding to thenewly designed printed circuit board. Once the new circular scoreindicating disk and printed circuit board are in position, the scoreindicating arrow 26 and wiper-arm assembly 40 can be reattached to theshaft 14 and aligned.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a great deal offlexibility and interchangeability between various pinball machines.Thus, repair and replacement of the present invention is less costlysince fewer parts and replacement units need be kept in stock. Further,the means to receive, interpret and total electric signals may bedesigned to facilitate interchangeability to permit variation of thegames that may be played on a particular pinball machine. Thus, thepresent invention provides a great deal of flexibility in varying thepossible scoring opportunities with only minor changes in the structureand circuitry.

it should be understood that various changes, variations, andmodifications may be effected in the details and operations of thepresent invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for randomly selecting one ofa multiplicity ofopportunities and registering information based thereon comprising:

a generating means for generating a randomly selected electric signalcorresponding to an opportunity in response to activation and timeelapsed deactivation of said generat ing means;

an indicating means responsive to the generating means for indicatingthe selected opportunity;

a control means;

an initiating means for activating the generating means and the controlmeans in response to external excitation;

a maintaining means responsive to initial activation of the controlmeans for maintaining activation of the control means after deactivationof the generating means;

a deactivating means responsive to time elapsed activation of thecontrol means for deactivating the generating means;

registration means for receiving and registering the electric signalcorresponding to the opportunity selected by the generating means;

lockout means for activating said registration means in response todeactivation of the generating means and to further time elapsedactivation of the control means,

whereby a purely random selection of an opportunity is made andinformation regarding the selected opportunity is registered without thenecessity of an indexing arrangemerit for said indicating means.

2 An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1. wherein said generating meanscomprises:

a shaft;

a means for rotating the shaft in response to activation by theinitiating means;

a circuit board position approximately perpendicular to and about theshaft;

score generating circuit contacts positioned on the circuit boardapproximately in a circular path approximately centered at the centerline ofthe shaft.

a wiper means attached to the shaft for traversing and individuallycontacting the score generating circuit contacts as the shaft rotates,

whereby electric signals corresponding to a respective opportunity aregenerated by individual contact of the respective circuit contacts bythe wiper means.

3. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 2 wherein said indicating meanscomprises:

an arrow attached approximately perpendicular to the shaft;

and

an indicating disk segmentally divided into visual representations ofthe opportunities, said disk positioned approximately perpendicular toand about the shaft and adjacent the arrow,

whereby the randomly selected opportunity is visually indicated by thepoint of the arrow coming into direct visual alignment with anopportunity segment.

4. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control meanscomprises:

an electric control motor;

a multiplicity of cams operably rotated by the motor through sixseparate control positions.

5. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the maintaining meanscomprises:

a first cam switch operably closed by its corresponding cam when saidcam is rotated to its first position upon activation of the controlmotor; and

a parallel circuit for providing and maintaining power to the controlmotor in response to the closing of the first cam switch.

6. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lockout meanscomprises:

a second cam switch operably opened by its corresponding cam when saidcam rotates through one of six positions; switch means for activatingsaid registration means in response to cessation of rotation of theshaft and in further response to the opening of the cam switch aftercessation of rotation ofthe shaft.

7. ln a conventional pinball machine, said machine comprising rollerballs, a magazine to store the roller balls, an inclined play field,means for propelling the roller balls individually from the magazine tothe top ofthe play field, means for containing the roller balls on theplay field, play field score means for roviding score signals whencontacted by the roller balls as they roll down the inclined play field,registering means for receiving, interpreting and totaling the scoresignals, means for receiving the roller balls at the bottom of the playfield and returning the roller balls to the magazine; a random scoreinitiating device comprising a score generating means for randomlyselecting and generating electrical signals interpretive of the scoringopportunity selected in response to activation and time elapseddeactivation;

an indicating means operably associated with the generating means forvisually indicating the randomly selected opportunity;

a control means;

an initiating means located on the play field responsive to the contactof a roller ball for activating the score generating means and thecontrol means;

a maintaining means responsive to the initial activation of the controlmeans for maintaining activation of the con trol means afterdeactivation of the score generating means;

a deactivating means responsive to the time elapsed activation of thecontrol means for deactivating the score generating means;

a score lockout means actuated in response to deactivation of thegenerating means and to the further time elapsed activation of thecontrol means for transmitting electric signals interpretive of thescore from the generating means to the registering means afteractivation of the lockout means.

whereby a purely random selection of an opportunity is made and theselected opportunity is registered without the necessity of an indexingmeans for said indicating means.

8. A random score initiating device, as claimed in claim 7,

wherein the score generating means comprises a freely rotatable shaft;

means to rotate the shaft;

means responsive to the angular position of the shaft for generatingelectric signals interpretive of the score.

9. A random score initiating device as claimed in claim 8, wherein themeans to rotate the shaft comprises an electric spin motor operablyconnected to the shaft by a mechanical gear linkage.

10. A random score initiating device as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidindicating means comprises a score indicating arrow attachedapproximately perpendicular to the shaft;

a circular score indicating disk positioned perpendicular to and aroundthe shaft, immediately adjacent the score indicating arrow, said scoreindicating arrow and said score indicating disk positioned relative tothe angular position of the shaft to visually indicate the respectivescoring op portunity selected by the score generating means,

11. A random score initiating device as claimed in claim 10, wherein themeans responsive to the angular position of the shaft for generatingelectric signals interpretive of the score comprises:

a circuit board positioned perpendicular to and about the printedcircuits located on the circuit board corresponding to the scoringopportunities, arranged in an outer circular path with the center of thecircular path located approximately on the center line ofthe shaft;

a wiper-arm assembly including a first and a second wiper-arm affixed tothe shaft;

a first rubbing contact positioned on the first wiper-arm to traversethe printed circuits of the printed circuit board,

whereby electrical signals interpretive of the scoring oppor tunityselected are generated by contact of the first rubbing contact with therespective printed circuit.

12. A random score initiating device as claimed in claim 11,

wherein the control means comprises:

an electric control motor;

a multiplicity ofconnected cams rotated through six angular positions bythe electric motor;

a multiplicity of cam operated switches operably connected to acorresponding cam and operably responsive to the angular position of thecorresponding cam.

13. A random score initiating device, as claimed in claim 12, whereinthe initiating means comprises:

an electrical power source for providing electric current;

a first cam operated switch closed only at the sixth position of theelectric control motor;

a play field switch located in a recessed area of the play fieldoperably responsive to a roller ball entering the recessed area, saidplay field switch in serial electrical continuity with the first camoperated switch;

a spin relay coil in serial electrical continuity with the play fieldswitch;

a normally open first spin relay switch in serial electrical continuitywith the electric spin motor, operably closed by electrical activationof the spin relay coil;

a normally open second spin relay switch in serial electrical continuitywith the electric control motor operably closed by electrical activationof the spin relay coil,

whereby the spin motor and the control motor can be electricallyactivated when the control motor is at rest in its normal deactivatedsixth position responsive to a roller ball closing the play fieldswitch.

14. A random score initiating device as claimed in claim [3,

wherein the maintaining means comprises:

a electrical power source for providing electric current;

a fourth cam operated switch closed only at the first position of theelectric control motor;

a third nonnally open spin relay switch in serial electrical continuitywith the fourth cam operated switch;

an eject relay coil in serial electrical continuity with the third spinrelay switch;

a fifth cam operated switch open only at the fourth position of theelectric control motor;

a normally open first eject relay switch operably closed by electricalactivation of the eject relay coil in serial electrical continuity withthe fifth cam operated switch and said first eject relay switch and saidfifth cam operated switch in parallel electrical continuity with thefourth cam operated switch and the third spin relay switch;

a normally closed first spin score relay switch in parallel electricalcontinuity with the fifth cam operated switch;

a normally open second eject relay switch in parallel electri calcontinuity with the second spin relay switch operably closed byelectrical activation of the eject relay coil;

whereby the second eject relay switch maintains electrical continuity tothe control motor after the fourth cam operated switch closes andactivates the eject relay coil thereby closing the first and secondeject relay switches, until the fifth carn operated switch opens whenthe control motor reaches its fourth position after activation of thefirst spin score relay.

15. A random score initiating device, as claimed in claim 14, whereinthe deactivating means comprises:

an electrical power source for providing electric current;

a second cam operated switch open only at the fifth position of theelectric control motor;

a normally open fourth spin relay switch in serial electrical continuitywith the spin relay coil and the second cam operated switch, said fourthspin relay switch operably closed by electrical activation ofthe spinrelay coil,

whereby electrical continuity is broken to the spin relay coil when theelectric control motor reaches its fifth position.

l6 A random score initiating device, as claimed in claim 12, w hereinthe score lockout means comprises:

an electrical power source for providing electric current;

a first and second individual contacts alternately positioned about aninner circular path on the circuit board;

first individual contact connector means for providing electricalcontinuity to the first individual contacts;

second individual contact connector means for providing electricalcontinuity to the second individual contacts;

second rubbing contact positioned on the second wiperarm to traverse theinner circular path of the first and second individual contacts;

first delay relay coil in serial electrical continuity with the firstindividual contact connector means;

normally open first delay relay switch operably closed by electricalactivation ofthe first delay relay coil;

a sixth cam operated switch open only at the first position of theelectric control motor, said sixth cam operated switch and said firstdelay relay switch in serial electrical contil) tinuity with the firstdelay relay coil and in parallel electrical continuity with the firstindividual contacts;

a second delay relay coil in serial electrical continuity with thesecond individual contact connector means;

a nonnally open second delay relay switch operably closed by electricalactivation of the second delay relay coil;

a seventh cam operated switch open only at the third position of theelectric control motor, said seventh cam operated switch and said seconddelay relay switch in serial electrical continuity with the second delayrelay coil and in parallel electrical continuity with the secondindividual contacts;

a spin score relay coil;

a normally closed third delay relay switch operably opened by electricalactivation of the first delay relay coil;

a normally closed fourth delay relay switch operably opened byelectrical activation of the second delay relay coil, said third andfourth delay relay switches combined in parallel electrical continuityand said parallel combinations in serial electrical continuity with thespin score relay coil;

a normally open third eject relay switch in serial electrical continuitywith the parallel combination of the third and fourth delay relayswitches, said third eject relay switch operably closed by electricalactivation of the eject relay coil;

an eighth cam operated switch closed only at the sixth position of theelectric control motor, said eighth cam operated switch in serialelectrical continuity with the third eject relay switch;

a normally open second spin score relay switch operably closed byelectrical activation of the spin score relay coil;

a ninth cam operated switch open only at the fifth position of theelectric control motor, said ninth cam operated switch and said secondspin score relay switch in serial electrical continuity with the spinscore relay coil and in parallel electrical continuity with parallelcombination of the third and fourth delay relay switches, the thirdeject relay switch and the eighth cam operated switch;

a normally open third spin score relay switch operably closed byelectrical activation of the spin score relay coil, said third spinscore relay switch in serial electrical continuity between the means forreceiving, interpreting and totaling the score signals and the means forgenerating electronic signals interpretive of the score therebypreventing receipt ofthe score signals until the third spin score relayis closed;

whereby the third and fourth delay relay switches are held open by thepulsing current through the first and second delay relay coils caused bythe movement of the second rubbing contact across the first and secondindividual contacts when the shaft is rotating, preventing scoring untilthe shaft stops rotating and the third and fourth delay relay switchescan be closed thereby electrically activating the spin score relay coiland closing the third spin score relay switch thereby completingelectrical continuity to the registering means and initiating scoring,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,656,754 Dated April 18, 1972 Inventor(s) Norman R. Clark It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 7, line 29, insert the following paragraph:

Completion of a circuit through spin score relay 164 closes spin scorerelay operated switch 172. This completes a circuit through firstwiper-arm 44, rubbing contact 48, one of the score opportunity circuits54, and means to receive, interpret and total electrical signals 170.Thus, it is apparent that scoring cannot take place until spin scorerelay operated switch 172 is closed after rotation of spin motor 12,shaft 14 and wiper-arm 46 have stopped.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of September 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM PO-l050110-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-F'69 U S GOVERNMENYFRINHNG OFF CE 1969 0366-l!l

1. An apparatus for randomly selecting one of a multiplicity ofopportunities and registering information based thereon comprising: agenerating means for generating a randomly selected electric signalcorresponding to an opportunity in response to activation and timeelapsed deactivation of said generating means; an indicating meansresponsive to the generating means for indicating the selectedopportunity; a control means; an initiating means for activating thegenerating means and the control means in response to externalexcitation; a maintaining means responsive to initial activation of thecontrol means for maintaining activation of the control means afterdeactivation of the generating means; a deactivating means responsive totime elapsed activation of the control means for deactivating thegenerating means; registration means for receiving and registering theelectric signal corresponding to the opportunity selected by thegenerating means; lockout means for activating said registration meansin response to deactivation of the generating means and to further timeelapsed activation of the control means, whereby a purely randomselection of an opportunity is made and information regarding theselected opportunity is registered without the necessity of an indexingarrangement for said indicating means.
 2. An apparatus, as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said generating means comprises: a shaft; a means forrotating the shaft in response to activation by the initiating means; acircuit board position approximately perpendicular to and about theshaft; score generating circuit contacts positioned on the circuit boardapproximately in a circular path approximately centered at the centerline of the shaft; a wiper means attached to the shaft for traversingand individually contacting the score generating circuit contacts as theshaft rotates, whereby electric signals corresponding to a respectiveopportunity are generated by individual contact of the respectivecircuit contacts by the wiper means.
 3. An apparatus, as claimed inclaim 2 wherein said indicating means comprises: an arrow attachedapproximately perpendicular to the shaft; and an indicating disksegmentally divided into visual representations of the opportunities,said disk positioned approximately perpendicular to and about the shaftand adjacent the arrow, whereby the randomly selected opportunity isvisually indicated by the point of the arrow coming into direct visualalignment with an opportunity segment.
 4. An apparatus, as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the control means comprises: an electric control motor;a multiplicity of cams operably rotated by the motor through sixseparate control positions.
 5. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 4,wherein the maintaining means comprises: a first cam switch operablyclosed by its corresponding cam when said cam is rotated to its firstposition upon activation of the control motor; and a parallel circuitfor providing and maintaining power to the control motor in response tothe closing of the first cam switch.
 6. An apparatus, as claimed inclaim 4, wherein said lockout means comprises: a second cam switchoperably opened by its corresponding cam when said cam rotates throughone of six positions; switch means for activating said registrationmeans in response to cessation of rotation of the shaft and in furtherresponse to the opening of the cam switch after cessation of rotation ofthe shaft.
 7. In a conventional pinball machine, said machine comprisingroller balls, a magazine to store the roller balls, an inclined playfield, means for propelling the roller Balls individually from themagazine to the top of the play field, means for containing the rollerballs on the play field, play field score means for providing scoresignals when contacted by the roller balls as they roll down theinclined play field, registering means for receiving, interpreting andtotaling the score signals, means for receiving the roller balls at thebottom of the play field and returning the roller balls to the magazine;a random score initiating device comprising : a score generating meansfor randomly selecting and generating electrical signals interpretive ofthe scoring opportunity selected in response to activation and timeelapsed deactivation; an indicating means operably associated with thegenerating means for visually indicating the randomly selectedopportunity; a control means; an initiating means located on the playfield responsive to the contact of a roller ball for activating thescore generating means and the control means; a maintaining meansresponsive to the initial activation of the control means formaintaining activation of the control means after deactivation of thescore generating means; a deactivating means responsive to the timeelapsed activation of the control means for deactivating the scoregenerating means; a score lockout means actuated in response todeactivation of the generating means and to the further time elapsedactivation of the control means for transmitting electric signalsinterpretive of the score from the generating means to the registeringmeans after activation of the lockout means, whereby a purely randomselection of an opportunity is made and the selected opportunity isregistered without the necessity of an indexing means for saidindicating means.
 8. A random score initiating device, as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the score generating means comprises : a freelyrotatable shaft; means to rotate the shaft; means responsive to theangular position of the shaft for generating electric signalsinterpretive of the score.
 9. A random score initiating device asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the means to rotate the shaft comprises anelectric spin motor operably connected to the shaft by a mechanical gearlinkage.
 10. A random score initiating device as claimed in claim 8,wherein said indicating means comprises : a score indicating arrowattached approximately perpendicular to the shaft; a circular scoreindicating disk positioned perpendicular to and around the shaft,immediately adjacent the score indicating arrow, said score indicatingarrow and said score indicating disk positioned relative to the angularposition of the shaft to visually indicate the respective scoringopportunity selected by the score generating means.
 11. A random scoreinitiating device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the means responsiveto the angular position of the shaft for generating electric signalsinterpretive of the score comprises: a circuit board positionedperpendicular to and about the shaft; printed circuits located on thecircuit board corresponding to the scoring opportunities, arranged in anouter circular path with the center of the circular path locatedapproximately on the center line of the shaft; a wiper-arm assemblyincluding a first and a second wiper-arm affixed to the shaft; a firstrubbing contact positioned on the first wiper-arm to traverse theprinted circuits of the printed circuit board, whereby electricalsignals interpretive of the scoring opportunity selected are generatedby contact of the first rubbing contact with the respective printedcircuit.
 12. A random score initiating device as claimed in claim 11,wherein the control means comprises: an electric control motor; amultiplicity of connected cams rotated through six angular positions bythe electric motor; a multiplicity of cam operated switches operablyconnected to a corresponding cam and operably responsive to the angularposition of the corresponding cam.
 13. A random score initiating device,as claimed in claim 12, wherein the initiating means comprises: anelectrical power source for providing electric current; a first camoperated switch closed only at the sixth position of the electriccontrol motor; a play field switch located in a recessed area of theplay field operably responsive to a roller ball entering the recessedarea, said play field switch in serial electrical continuity with thefirst cam operated switch; a spin relay coil in serial electricalcontinuity with the play field switch; a normally open first spin relayswitch in serial electrical continuity with the electric spin motor,operably closed by electrical activation of the spin relay coil; anormally open second spin relay switch in serial electrical continuitywith the electric control motor operably closed by electrical activationof the spin relay coil, whereby the spin motor and the control motor canbe electrically activated when the control motor is at rest in itsnormal deactivated sixth position responsive to a roller ball closingthe play field switch.
 14. A random score initiating device as claimedin claim 13, wherein the maintaining means comprises: an electricalpower source for providing electric current; a fourth cam operatedswitch closed only at the first position of the electric control motor;a third normally open spin relay switch in serial electrical continuitywith the fourth cam operated switch; an eject relay coil in serialelectrical continuity with the third spin relay switch; a fifth camoperated switch open only at the fourth position of the electric controlmotor; a normally open first eject relay switch operably closed byelectrical activation of the eject relay coil in serial electricalcontinuity with the fifth cam operated switch and said first eject relayswitch and said fifth cam operated switch in parallel electricalcontinuity with the fourth cam operated switch and the third spin relayswitch; a normally closed first spin score relay switch in parallelelectrical continuity with the fifth cam operated switch; a normallyopen second eject relay switch in parallel electrical continuity withthe second spin relay switch operably closed by electrical activation ofthe eject relay coil; whereby the second eject relay switch maintainselectrical continuity to the control motor after the fourth cam operatedswitch closes and activates the eject relay coil thereby closing thefirst and second eject relay switches, until the fifth cam operatedswitch opens when the control motor reaches its fourth position afteractivation of the first spin score relay.
 15. A random score initiatingdevice, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the deactivating meanscomprises: an electrical power source for providing electric current; asecond cam operated switch open only at the fifth position of theelectric control motor; a normally open fourth spin relay switch inserial electrical continuity with the spin relay coil and the second camoperated switch, said fourth spin relay switch operably closed byelectrical activation of the spin relay coil; whereby electricalcontinuity is broken to the spin relay coil when the electric controlmotor reaches its fifth position.
 16. A random score initiating device,as claimed in claim 12, wherein the score lockout means comprises: anelectrical power source for providing electric current; a first andsecond individual contacts alternately positioned about an innercircular path on the circuit board; a first individual contact connectormeans for providing electrical continuity to the first individualcontacts; a second individual contact connector means for providingelectrical continuity to the second individual contacts; a secondrubbing contact positioned on the second wiper-arm to traverse the innercircular path of the first and sEcond individual contacts; a first delayrelay coil in serial electrical continuity with the first individualcontact connector means; a normally open first delay relay switchoperably closed by electrical activation of the first delay relay coil;a sixth cam operated switch open only at the first position of theelectric control motor, said sixth cam operated switch and said firstdelay relay switch in serial electrical continuity with the first delayrelay coil and in parallel electrical continuity with the firstindividual contacts; a second delay relay coil in serial electricalcontinuity with the second individual contact connector means; anormally open second delay relay switch operably closed by electricalactivation of the second delay relay coil; a seventh cam operated switchopen only at the third position of the electric control motor, saidseventh cam operated switch and said second delay relay switch in serialelectrical continuity with the second delay relay coil and in parallelelectrical continuity with the second individual contacts; a spin scorerelay coil; a normally closed third delay relay switch operably openedby electrical activation of the first delay relay coil; a normallyclosed fourth delay relay switch operably opened by electricalactivation of the second delay relay coil, said third and fourth delayrelay switches combined in parallel electrical continuity and saidparallel combinations in serial electrical continuity with the spinscore relay coil; a normally open third eject relay switch in serialelectrical continuity with the parallel combination of the third andfourth delay relay switches, said third eject relay switch operablyclosed by electrical activation of the eject relay coil; an eighth camoperated switch closed only at the sixth position of the electriccontrol motor, said eighth cam operated switch in serial electricalcontinuity with the third eject relay switch; a normally open secondspin score relay switch operably closed by electrical activation of thespin score relay coil; a ninth cam operated switch open only at thefifth position of the electric control motor, said ninth cam operatedswitch and said second spin score relay switch in serial electricalcontinuity with the spin score relay coil and in parallel electricalcontinuity with parallel combination of the third and fourth delay relayswitches, the third eject relay switch and the eighth cam operatedswitch; a normally open third spin score relay switch operably closed byelectrical activation of the spin score relay coil, said third spinscore relay switch in serial electrical continuity between the means forreceiving, interpreting and totaling the score signals and the means forgenerating electronic signals interpretive of the score therebypreventing receipt of the score signals until the third spin score relayis closed; whereby the third and fourth delay relay switches are heldopen by the pulsing current through the first and second delay relaycoils caused by the movement of the second rubbing contact across thefirst and second individual contacts when the shaft is rotating,preventing scoring until the shaft stops rotating and the third andfourth delay relay switches can be closed thereby electricallyactivating the spin score relay coil and closing the third spin scorerelay switch thereby completing electrical continuity to the registeringmeans and initiating scoring.